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Free income-tax help available

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Those scrambling to meet the fast-approaching April 18 tax deadline should be careful they don't miss out on the free and low-cost tax-preparation services being offered across Staten Island.

Any taxpayers who have yet to file taxes and have an annual income of $57,000 or less can take advantage of the following opportinities for help:

The Food Bank for New York City has two locations on Staten Island offering free help with taxes in both English and Spanish. The location at 1546 Castleton Ave., Port Richmond, is offering help on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between noon and 7 p.m.; the phone number is 646-315-7703. The other location is on the second floor of the Sovereign Bank at 15 Hyatt St., St George. They can be reached at 646-315-7703 Mondays and Thursdays from noon to 7 p.m., Fridays from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The AARP and West Brighton Public Library, located at 976 Castleton Ave., West Brighton, are also offering free tax preparation on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Call 718-442-1416.

Also, at select free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites throughout the city, taxpayers may have the opportunity to put aside $200 or more of their tax refund in a city-sponsored SaveUSA account for a year and earn 50 cents for every dollar saved. Participants in the program can earn up to $500 and are selected at random, so anyone interested has the same chance to open the account while funds last.

Anyone interested should call the office of City Councilwoman Debi Rose at 718-556-7370 or consult nyc.gov/saveusa.